I am a 17-year-old girl who was adopted as an infant. Over the past several weeks I have followed your coverage of the Baby Richard case faithfully and with a great deal of relief that I am no longer 4 years old.
When I was younger, up until 5th grade or so, I would sometimes worry that my birth mother might try to take me from my adoptive parents. My mom was always there with a hug and a comforting promise: “Don’t worry, it’s impossible for her to do that. The papers have been signed, and you are legally mine.” These words gave me quite a bit of security. I had no doubt that my adoptive parents would be my parents forever.
Apparently, though, this idea is no longer valid. By forcing Baby Richard out of his home into custody of his birth parents, the Illinois Supreme Court has done a great disservice to the institution of adoption. Prospective parents of very needy children will now be scared off by the fear that youngsters they will grow to love might someday be arbitrarily yanked out of their homes. Current parents and adoptees will now be filled with a nagging insecurity that mere words and promises will not be able to allay. I pray that the United States Supreme Court will take on Baby Richard’s case and calm all of these doubts and fears.
Thank you, Mr. Greene, for your coverage of this case. It is a very important issue that does not deserve to be swept under the carpet.
